Terrance Knighton will enter free agency March 10 if not resigned by the Broncos. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

INDIANAPOLIS — Terrance Knighton knows he is not the Broncos’ top offseason priority. But five weeks removed from the team’s playoff exit, the defensive tackle continues to fight impatience. The sides are expected to begin talks this week, and Knighton will be “disappointed” if the discussions lack substance.

“I have no idea what they will discuss, if anything. If the talks aren’t numbers right now, I’d be very disappointed because I have made it very clear where I want to be,” Knighton told The Denver Post on Thursday.

Knighton said last month that he would be willing to take less money to stay in Denver, where he is a fan favorite and a team leader. He is looking for a “fair offer” to prevent him from testing the open market in March. Knighton served as a team captain last season, and graded out as one of the league’s top run stuffers by Pro Football Focus. Teammates want Knighton back, believing he’s one of the keys to the defense realizing its potential.

PHOENIX — This much is known: Peyton Manning joined forces with New England’s Tom Brady on changing footballs nearly a decade ago. Manning wasn’t interested in the air pressure, he said Friday, but the texture of the footballs in visiting stadiums. Until Brady and Manning wrote to the NFL’s competition committee, the home team supplied the game-day footballs. This led to problems, and a funny story from Manning.

“I don’t know anything about air pressure in a ball ever since the K2 back in the day as a kid. I am not versed in it. Tom and I were part of that rule (change) a couple of years ago to be able to simply have your own ball boys be able to prepare your own footballs,” Manning said.

“I remember the first ever game I played in. It was against Seattle in the preseason. And Warren Moon liked the balls right out of the box, I mean right out of the plastic. And I had three balls slip out of my hand and go backwards. And I remember (Colts coach) Jim Mora yelling at me, ‘What in the world is going on?’ I said, ‘I can’t grip the ball.’ So you had to adjust everytime you were the visiting team to the footballs you were going to be playing with. And you had to grip them differently. But that was all texture. That rule was all simply about being able to break them in, if you will.”

Julius Thomas is off to a record start for the Broncos, scoring nine touchdowns to tie the league record for most by a tight end through the first five games.

With the chop block against the Cardinals and the “It’s so easy!” declaration against the Jets though, Thomas has spent more time defending himself than celebrating his accomplishments.

But he wants to set at least one thing straight about catching touchdowns:

“Contrary to my own statements, it’s not very easy. A lot of things have to go right,” he said Wednesday. “First you have to find a way to make a play to help out your team. A lot of work goes into it, a lot of effort throughout the year. A lot of guys just really getting after it and busting their butts to go make plays on the field. Sometimes you get a little confident in games, and you start thinking it’s easy. Then you get out to practice on Wednesday and Rahim (Moore) and T.J. (Ward) and Von (Miller) are doing their best to keep you from catching the stick route. It’s definitely not easy all the time.”Read more…

Broncos coaches not named John Fox spoke to reporters at length following practice Thursday. And Adam Gase, the team’s offensive coordinator, was rather straightforward when asked about the Broncos’ running game, with their young set of backs, and how the offense has handled having to play a pair of solid defenses — Seattle last Thursday and San Francisco this coming Sunday — in their first two preseason games.

Here’s what Gase had to say:

On what he’s seen from the running game:
“For the most part, we’re a little more downhill this year. We do stretch it some but probably not as much as we were trying to last year. We’re using a little more of our gap schemes and running some power plays which has really developed a little bit different attitude for us. It makes it a little easier on our guys to say, ‘Hey, I’m just coming off the ball, and we’re going to be downhill.’”

On if the running game can help the defense:
“I think for what we’re doing right now, especially with our defense, they would say we’re probably running the ball better, and our downhill running game is probably helping them because now they’re seeing what they’re probably going to see in the regular season. I think it’s helping both sides of the ball.”

Ben Roethlisberger, left, said he was “hurt” by Emmanuel Sanders’ comments. (Getty Images; John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Late last month, during an interview on The Fan 104.3, Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders was asked the difference between Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, with whom he spent four seasons in Pittsburgh.

“I feel like Peyton is a far better leader, in terms of staying after practice, catching balls, wanting guys to get on the same page with him, things of that sort,” Sanders had said. “This is the first time that I’ve had a quarterback that every single day after practice — no matter what his accolades, NFL MVP, Super Bowl ring — he keeps guys like me and [rookie receiver Cody] Latimer after practice. … He’s not one of those guys you’ve got to chase down. He’s going to be right in the same spot, ready to work, every single day. I just feel like that’s a difference from a mental standpoint.

“I’ve got so much love for Ben. At the same time, I’m not going to lie. I’m happy to be part of this organization and happy that Peyton is my quarterback.”

Sanders took heat for those comments, namely from Antonio Brown, his former Steeler teammate who said they were “disrespectful.” The Broncos reciever stood by his comments, though, and said he doesn’t regret them.Read more…

Donning a gold chain and baggy jeans with holes, Peyton spit bars about “fantasy, fantasy, football fantasy, like an end zone that ends in a waterfall,” among other things. And given that this was not his first foray into the rap game, it only seemed plausible that his attire was taken from his wardrobe.

“That was a prop,” Peyton said of his gold chain. “Eli brought his own outfit. Very disturbing, but he had it in his wardrobe. Mine were all props, not sure on the offensive linemen. I think (Ryan) Clady (Louis) Vasquez and Orlando (Franklin) had some props as well.”

Coach John Fox, though, already likes what he sees. Before the team took the field for practice at Dove Valley on Monday, Fox spoke to the guys on The Press Box about the team’s progression in camp, its preseason victory over Seattle and what he’s learned over the last year or so. He even addressed his, uh, body language while talking to officials during games.

On the new rhythm of camp, with requisite off-days:
“Really, it’s not bad. I think with the new CBA every seven days you have to give them a full 24 hours off, and at the end of the day, it makes them fresh, keeps their legs fresh. It does take a second to get back in the rhythm.”

On the impact of defensive additions T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware:
“First and foremost, it’s their skillset. Bringing DeMarcus in, putting him on the other side of Von (Miller) when we get them back into the full flow of things, it gives you a pretty formidable tandem as far as rushing the edge, which is critical in pass defense. T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib are both in the secondary — one a safety and one a corner — but they bring an attitude. We talk around here that your attitude will determine your altitude. So they definitely brought that kind of mindset and that kind of temperament to the defensive side.

“Going into our fourth year now of trying to build that, you can see the effects of it already here in camp.”Read more…

For the second consecutive year, DirecTV induced Peyton Manning and his younger brother Eli Manning into performing a promotional music video. This one is for the DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket’s new Fantasy Zone Channel.

Training camps for all 32 NFL teams kicked off last week, giving fans an early glimpse at their team’s new players, position battles and more before the preseason begins. (It also gave us a chance to see players’ adorable kids.)

The Bronco newcomer has admitted repeatedly that he’s still getting acclimated with Denver’s system and playing alongside Peyton Manning. But on Monday, Sanders joined The Fan 104.3 in Denver and said that he’s noticed one considerable difference, among others, between Manning and his former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

“I feel like Peyton is a far better leader, in terms of staying after practice, catching balls, wanting guys to get on the same page with him, things of that sort,” Sanders said. “This is the first time that I’ve had a quarterback that every single day after practice — no matter what his accolades, NFL MVP, Super Bowl ring — he keeps guys like me and [rookie receiver Cody] Latimer after practice. … He’s not one of those guys you’ve got to chase down. He’s going to be right in the same spot, ready to work, every single day. I just feel like that’s a difference from a mental standpoint.

“I’ve got so much love for Ben,” Sanders added. “At the same time, I’m not going to lie. I’m happy to be part of this organization and happy that Peyton is my quarterback.” Read more…

1. Can John Elway continue Denver’s winning ways?
“Three years ago, John Elway’s hiring brought questions of Denver’s intent. Would the former face of the franchise just be a figurehead? Three straight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl berth later, the answer is clear: Nope.”—Joan Niesen, MMQB

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2. Peyton Manning’s offseason rituals
“How do you reboot the game of a legendary competitor coming off the most epic disappointment of his career? This is how …”—Jeff Legwold, ESPN.com

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“3. As always, a Manning team has a shot
“But there are whispers in Denver that Seattle exposed some weaknesses in Manning’s game at this stage of his career — namely, his inability to create plays once the original play breaks down.”—Jeffrey Flanagan, Fox Sports Kansas City

5. Elway still working on deals for top weapons
“The Denver Broncos have made contract offers to star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas and will continue negotiating with both players after training camp opens July 24, Broncos general manager John Elway said Wednesday.”—Lindsay H. Jones, USA Today SportsRead more…

Although European soccer clubs again beat out American teams for the top three spots on the annual ranking, Arsenal, whose largest shareholder is Stan Kroenke, came in at No. 16 with an estimated value of $1.331 billion. Pat Bowlen’s Broncos took the No. 25 spot, with a valuation of $1.161 billion.

Real Madrid ($3.44 billion), Barcelona ($3.2 billion), Manchester United ($2.81 million) took the top three spots, respectively. The New York Yankees, the top-ranked MLB team, came in a No. 4 ($2.5 billion), while the Cowboys ($2.3 billion) ranked No. 5 as the most valuable NFL franchise.

Dustin Colquitt, left, will be the caddy for his brother, Broncos punter Britton Colquitt, in the celebrity golf tournament. (Jeff Bayer)

Broncos training camp is just a week away, but GM John Elway, coach John Fox and punter Britton Colquitt are gearing up for a different kind of competition – on the golf course.

The Denver trio is set to play in the American Century golf tournament in Lake Tahoe later this week, a celebrity tournament to raise funds and awareness for charities. Round one of three begins Friday.

Colquitt, no novice with a driver in hand, has been questioned in the past for his lacking mini-golf skills, but with his brother and Chiefs punter, Dustin Colquitt, serving as his caddy for the tournament, Britton, a first-year participant, enters the tournament as with 10-1 odds of winning, leading the Broncos pack.

Elway, another golfing regular who finished second in the tournament in 2012, holds 12-1 odds this year, while Fox falls behind, at 100-1.

The three will have their work cut out for them in the tournament — which is usually won by baseball, football or hockey players — because this year LPGA great and Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam has decided to take on the guys. Read more…

Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) and Terrence Knighton (98) look on during OTAs on June 2 at Dove Valley. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

TERRANCE KNIGHTON ENDORSES TIRES, DOMINATION
The Broncos and their fans don’t really care how much fame and fortune their lovable 330-something-pound defensive tackle engulfs off the field. Their hope is that all this newfound attention doesn’t get in Knighton’s way of creating interior havoc at the line of scrimmage. Equipped with an outsized confidence that matches his frame, Knighton said his second season with the Broncos will be his best.—Mike Klis, The Denver Post

PEYTON MANNING NO. 5 AMONG HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETES
The Broncos 38-year-old star quarterback capped his record-setting season by moving up three spots to No. 5 among American athletes on The Fortunate 50, the annual rankings by Sports Illustrated and Fortune of the highest-paid athletes. Manning reportedly pulled in a total of $37.5 million last year — $25 million in salary and $12.5 million in endorsements.—Nicki Jhabvala, The Denver Post

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JULIUS THOMAS STILL LEARNING AFTER BREAKOUT SEASON
Among all the weapons the Broncos assembled around Peyton Manning, Thomas was the breakout star of 2013’s record-setting offense, earning his first Pro Bowl selection by amassing the second-most touchdown receptions (12, which was tied for fifth in the NFL) and the third-most receiving yards (788 — 10 more than Wes Welker) on the team. The most tantalizing wrinkle, as the Broncos attempt to make the arduous trip back to the Super Bowl in the 2014 campaign, is what Thomas willingly admits now, entering his fourth season: He’s just barely figured out what he’s doing out there.—Judy Battista, NFL.comRead more…

Long before Seattle dropped 43 points on the Broncos in the Super Bowl, it should have been evident to all of us: Denver never had a defense capable of winning the NFL championship. Acknowledging that problem is the first step in the Broncos’ long road back to the Super Bowl. Good news: There’s no ducking the No. 1 issue by the team.—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post

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WES WELKER STILL MOTIVATED TO WIN FIRST SUPER BOWL
After five Pro Bowls and 841 receptions, Wes Welker confronts his latest challenge, staring at a cold reality in Denver. This might not be his last chance at winning a Super Bowl — he’s 0-for-3 in the big game — but this sets up as potentially his final season in Denver. The Broncos signed free agent Emmanuel Sanders to a three-year, $15 million deal in March. They drafted Cody Latimer in the second round.—Troy E. Renck, The Denver PostRead more…

One of the last teams to bother with the formality of signing draft picks, the Broncos got busy on the first business day of June by finalizing four-year contracts with second-round receiver Cody Latimer, sixth-round center Matt Paradis and seventh-round linebacker Corey Nelson.

The Broncos and St. Louis Rams were the only two NFL teams who had yet to sign a draft pick through Sunday. There is no hurry, though, because since the most dramatic change in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, all draft picks are pretty much slotted into contracts.—Mike Klis, The Denver Post

JOHN ELWAY’S SON ARRESTED; ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING GIRLFRIEND
John Albert Elway III, 24, was charged early Saturday morning with assault and disturbing the peace, police reported. He was released from the Denver jail on a $550 bond after being arrested at his father’s Cherry Hills Village home. His next court date is Thursday.

In an alleged fight with his girlfriend, Jack Elway, the son of Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway, ripped out pieces of the woman’s hair and pushed her to the ground.—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post

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MORE LINE SHUFFLES; WINTSON JUSTICE TRIES TACKLE
Monday, the Broncos continued moving bodies up front with Wintson Justice receiving a look at right tackle and Vinston Painter taking some reps at guard. Chris Clark entered organized team activities first at right tackle, but Denver wants to keep an open mind along the line.—Troy E. Renck, The Denver PostRead more…

Peyton Manning, as always, was leading the way through crisp work, that had groups switching in and out and the horn blowing repeatedly to signal for the next assignment. Health brought good news as pass rusher Von Miller worked out on a limited basis, continuing to show progress from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Chris Harris, the team’s top returning cornerback, went through agility work. >> MORE PHOTOS FROM OTAs—Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

1. Can the Broncos put their Super Bowl embarrassment behind them? Last season was about overcoming the devastating “Flacco Fling.” Led by Manning’s daily enjoyment of details, the Broncos responded by going 13-3 to earn the No.1 AFC playoff seed for a second consecutive season, then winning two home playoff games.

This year will be about overcoming the 43-8 shellacking they received from the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.—Mike Klis, The Denver PostRead more…

Great news: Broncos OTAs began today, which means Peyton Manning and Co. are finally back to work after their disappointing finish to last season.

Even better news: We dug through The Denver Post’s archives to find some gems from Broncos offseason workouts over the years. Bet you didn’t know Scotty Glacken was a ladies man, did you? Brace yourselves for some short shorts, lady-watching, occasional golfing and, yes, Dennis Smith admiring his biceps.

Isaiah Burse caught 99 passes for 1,026 yards last season at Fresno State and has been a big fan of new teammate Wes Welker’s. (Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press)

ISAIAH BURSE EXPLOSIVE ENOUGH TO MAKE RUN AT ROSTER
Everything about this wide receiver seems a little fast: his legs, his feet, his words, which tumble out of his mouth with passion and inflection, and his potential path to the roster. An undrafted free agent has made the Broncos’ final cut 10 consecutive years — the third-longest active stretch in the NFL, behind the Indianapolis Colts (15) and the Kansas City Chiefs (11). Burse is poised to extend Denver’s streak. … Burse received a $12,500 signing bonus, highest among their undrafted players — because of his ability on special teams.—Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

CHASE VAUGHN OF CSU-PUEBLO AMONG 3 BRONCOS SIGNINGS
The Broncos on Monday signed three players — wide receiver Greg Hardin, safety Charles Mitchell and linebacker Chase Vaughn — to bring their roster to the offseason limit of 90, the NFL team announced. The Broncos also waived punter Steven Clark and defensive tackle Mister Cobble in addition to designating defensive end John Youboty (Achilles) as waived/injured.—The Denver Post

BRADLEY ROBY TELLS HIS SIDE OF ORANGE BOWL STORY
Bradley Roby missed his final collegiate game because of an injury, creating some grousing from Ohio State fans that the cornerback was protecting his draft status. Roby addressed the issue over the weekend, the Broncos’ first-round pick saying he was unable to play because of a hyperextended and bruised left knee.—Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

EX-BRONCO BRANDON MARSHALL SIGNS 3-YEAR DEAL WITH BEARS
The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, who once played for the Broncos, agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2017 season on Monday. Marshall announced on Twitter that the extension is worth $30 million and that he’s donating $1 million to the “mental health community.” He signed the deal during an appearance on ABC’s “The View” talk show.—The Associated PressRead more…

Manning spoke on Saturday morning at U.Va.’s 2014 valedictory exercises, in which seniors present class gifts and university awards. Manning’s wife, Ashley, is a 1997 graduate of U.Va.’s McIntire School of Commerce. The Class of 2014 graduation committee invited Manning to speak because of “his sports career and off-the-field commitments are consistent examples of leadership, excellence and generosity,” Sarah Salinas, the committee’s chairwoman, said in a release.

“My wife Ashley is the smartest person I know,” Manning said during the remarks. “I know a lot of that has to do with her four years at U.Va. I like to tell a lot of people that Ashley came to Virginia because she couldn’t get into Tennessee.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.